Now that the first round of the 2025-26 Champions Cup in the books, we delve into the primary lessons emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has defined the competition in the past few campaigns, with the last five champions all representing France's elite division. Yet, the opening round featured multiple statement victories from new contenders.
Bordeaux Appear Primed to Defend Their Title
Reigning title-holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in this tournament last season, overpowering Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Currently sitting sixth in the Top 14, doubts have been raised about their ability to repeat the title this season. Yet, in their opener, Bordeaux issued a reminder that they are more than capable of securing another trophy with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Handed a challenging fixture at Loftus Versfeld against a powerful Bulls side featuring talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they were behind 33-22 at half-time.
However, demonstrating their pedigree, they unleashed their power in the second period, roaring back to claim a 46-33 victory – keeping the Bulls scoreless after the halftime.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with those two on the edges stands a good chance against any competition.
Impressive Bath Appear Equipped of Challenging for the Title
Bath's only triumph in the Champions Cup was almost 30 years ago. Since that time, they have perhaps not been more strongly positioned to add a second star.
The current English champions are leading the way domestically after six games and will be aiming to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a surprise group-stage exit last year.
Johann van Graan's side looked a extremely well-rounded and composed outfit in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are among the leaders in the URC.
They marry offensive flair – earning the try-scoring point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with resolute defending, keeping their visitors at arm's length when they looked like mounting a fightback.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad throughout the squad, they must be viewed as serious contenders for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's key result in the group stage the previous year occurred in the next fixture, an narrow 22-21 loss at Benetton with a changed side.
Now with a domestic championship in their history and setting the pace the home league, Van Graan might decide to place greater emphasis on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
You will find powerful sides throughout the draw, but their section seems destined to be one of the tightest.
In the tournament's current format, a lot is said about securing home wins, which is why Glasgow's win on the road at Sale on the opening night might just be pivotal.
The Glasgow Warriors were trailing by 14 points after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a all-important bonus-point win.
In doing so, they handed their hopes of advancing a significant early boost and, by contrast, handed a damaging defeat to their opponents.
With the red and blacks – imperious 56-19 victors over the Sharks – and Saracens, who easily overcame Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect plenty of fireworks.
And regarding Glasgow's Scottish counterparts Edinburgh? They turned in one of their best European performances in a long time to shock heavyweights Toulon 33-20, on a excellent weekend for Scottish rugby.
Is Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Puzzle?
When considering a contender you would fancy to be there or thereabouts at the business end of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in the last few years it has ended in disappointment, as they have shown great potential but delivered little. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites a year ago after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that New Zealand full-back Jordie Barrett would be the missing ingredient to secure the title, but they were caught out and suffered a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the last four.
Now they are testing another New Zealand import, this time with Rieko Ioane, who registered a scoring pass on his debut in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Could Ioane be the player to bring the trophy back to Ireland for the first occasion since 2018?
Stormers Look Prepared to Challenge
From the moment the SA franchises joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and last year not a single one managed to make it out of the pool phase, with several squads not at full strength fielded.
Could this be the season that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and began their Champions Cup adventure with a 26-17 triumph in France at Bayonne on the opening night.
The reactions after the game were promising too, with the squad and staff speaking of their goals, and the likes of Springboks Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse absent for the opening victory.
The Stormers appear the best bet for a SA franchise to progress far in the tournament, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who both lost in the opening round but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Saints and Pau Produce a Memorable Match
There were a few contenders for game of the weekend, and this one was right up there.
Pau have been enjoying a superb season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and ex-England half-back Dan Robson.
They are right now runner-up in the Top 14 and the crowd was raucous at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
